The Necto (nightclub)
The Necto is a popular nightclub attraction for youth located on Liberty St. in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Though the venue appears small from the outside, it is actually a multi-level establishment. Anywhere from 800-1,000 guests flow in and out of the club on any given night. The Necto was opened in the mid 1970s. It was originally called "The Nectarine Ballroom". The club is well-known for playing host to theme nights since the mid 1980s. Presently, the club is open Thursday through Saturday and Monday. The various themes include college night, pride(gay) night, frequency(dance) night, and factory(goth) night. The club was open on Sundays, as The Homeboy Show from local radio station 89x aired from the venue. However, a rapidly decreasing number of guests drove the club to close on this night of the week and forced the show to move elsewhere.
Factory Mondays
Mondays at The Necto are geared towards the gothic community of Southeast Michigan. The night features a variety of alternative dance music spun by local d-jay, DJ Jinx. The selection includes Gothe, synthpop and industrial music. The only mainstream bands featured on this night are Nine Inch Nails, Mindless Self Indulgence and the occasional 80s era club song, such as Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics, a club favorite. Guests have a lax dress code. A variety of gothic ensembles are typically worn; everything from platform boots, fishnets, chains and the occasional latex and body tape are considered the norm on Monday nights at The Necto.
College Thursdays
Thursdays at The Necto switch into college mode. DJ Hardy plays only Top 40 radio hits. The attire worn is completely different from that of Monday night.Twenty-somethings fill the venue in outfits ranging from CASUAL daytime ensembles, such as jeans, to cliche little black dresses. Guests that wish to be more festive occasionally show up in the stereotyped plaid school-girl skirts. For more incentive to come to the club, ladies get in free on these nights when they bring their college IDs. The Necto has a large bar located on the second floor and two smaller ones located on the outdoor patio portion of the venue on the lower level. The club is known for offering high energy dance for its guests.
Pride Fridays
When Friday night comes, it's time to roll out the rainbows, it's Pride night at The Necto. This club scene is geared towards the homosexual community, especially males. However, guest entry is not limited by [...] orientation. The night features upbeat energy dance pop music. Three d-jays alternate on this night. DJ Jace plays the main floor, DJ Mark keeps it up with retro/UK pop music videos in the Red Room, and DJ John G. closes out the Red Room with Top40/Pop. The main room dance floor of The Necto is located on the second floor. The Red Room is located on the lower level.
Frequency Saturdays
Saturdays are GeneRally the most packed and popular nights at The Necto. This is considered Southeast Michigan's biggest club night of the week. The attendance at The Necto reflects this. DJ Hardy comes back with more Top 40 hits for the crowd. The club sometimes features Saxi Taxi spinning techno in the Red Room.
Acknowledgments
Local youth have been flocking to this hot spot for over three decades. In recent years the club has been appraised for its diversity outreach in the community. It has given a haven to the gothic and gay members of society. One blogger went as far as saying, "If you're trying to get that New York/Chicago mega-club feel, Necto is the only place in Ann Arbor, or all of southeastern Michigan, that fills that role."
External links
- [http://www.myspace.com/clubnecto/| Myspace page]
- [http://www.facebook.com/NectoNightclub/| Facebook page]